Stock Market & Financial Investment News

Occidental Petroleum edges up after analyst applauds CEO planOccidental Petroleum's stock is advancing slightly after the company announced that its current CEO, Steve Chazen, would remain in the position through the end of 2014. WHAT'S NEW: Occidental announced that Chazen would remain in the top spot until the end of 2014. In February, Occidental had said that it was initiating a search for a replacement for Chazen. The company indicated that investors had pushed the company to retain Chazen as CEO for an extended period. Chazen was promoted to CEO from COO in 2010. ANALYST REACTION: In a note to investors, Deutsche Bank analyst Paul Sankey wrote that Occidental's decision was "very positive." Sankey upgraded the stock to Buy from Hold, as he believes that the move clears the way for the company to "shrink to grow," i.e. spin off businesses. Spinning off businesses would facilitate major share buybacks and makes sense in the current high oil price environment, the analyst wrote. Sankey increased his price target on the stock to $112 from $90. TODAY'S PRICE ACTION: In mid-morning trading, Occidental gained 0.6% to $88.40.

Occidental Petroleum expects to exit 2015 with spending rate of $1B-$1.2BIf prices remain at current levels, 2016 capital will be less than both 2015 full year and Q4 run rate. Expects that going forward, operating cash flow will cover CapEx and dividend payments, assuming $60 per barrel oil price realizations.